Whitley students honored for Gatton Academy selections

Whitley County High School rising juniors, Kembree Bunch (right) and Cameron Collett (left), were honored by the Whitley County Board of Education last week for being selected to participate in the Gatton Academy at Western Kentucky University

Two Whitley County High School students were honored last week as they prepare to spend the last two years of their high school careers on a college campus getting a jumpstart on their degree.

2024 NIBROC musical acts announced

Rhythm City Groove

With this year’s Annual NIBROC Festival just a couple of weeks away, announcements regarding the musical entertainment are being released. (more…)

Miller Park vandal will be required to pay $1,200 restitution as part of pretrial diversion

A Barton Mill Road man, who vandalized Miller Park during a June incident, won’t have to serve any prison time as part of his sentence but he will have to make restitution to the City of Corbin for the damage he caused.

W’Burg Ind. BOE discusses limiting virtual learning for some grade levels

Williamsburg Independent School is considering making changes to its virtual learning handbook, which could prevent elementary-level students from participating beginning this coming school year.

Electronic Edition For 7-24-24

Corbin man being charged with kidnapping, strangulation after weekend incident in Gray

A Corbin man is facing kidnapping, strangulation and other charges following a Sunday evening incident in Gray.

Craig Stone

Lillian Babb had a profound impact on my life and career

If you ever get the chance to employ one of your former teachers, then I highly recommend giving it a try.

Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.

Several years back, Lillian Babb, who was my high school journalism teacher for two years, my sophomore English teacher and my senior German teacher, did some freelance writing for us here at the News Journal.

She would print out her stories and bring them in for me to proofread. I would sit at my desk smiling as I would mark up her stories as she watched.

“You’re enjoying this aren’t you?” she jokingly asked me one day.

“Yes I am!” I replied back to the laughter of both of us.

(My only regret was not getting a red ink pen to use when I marked up her stories … LOL.)

Truth be told, she was a pretty good writer and I didn’t have to mark a lot of things on the feature stories that she would write for us. It was more newspaper stylistic things that are different from traditional English.

Mrs. Babb was one of my favorite teachers at Lynn Camp High School as you might have guessed from four times where she was my teacher, including two different classes my senior year.

Lillian Babb wasn’t one of those rigidly follow the establishment types. Talking to the principal typically put her in need of smoking a cigarette. It is something she did when she would really get stressed out, not that teaching teenagers would ever stress someone out … LOL.

She was a cool teacher, who didn’t get onto students for stupid stuff.

I remember one day in my junior journalism class, she had gone down to the dark room to work on something with a couple of students, and left the rest of us in the classroom to continue working.

There happened to be a television and VCR in the classroom that day. One of my fellow students ran out to his car to get a copy of Beverly Hills Cop II, which he was going to return to the video store after school. He put it in the VCR and we started watching the movie. Mrs. Babb returned to the classroom during a colorful bit of dialog in the movie.

She said simply, “I don’t want to know what you all are watching, do I?”

I believe a few of us, including myself replied, “not really.”

Mrs. Babb picked up what she came in there to get, and left us to continue watching the movie as she headed back down to the darkroom.

There are some people and teachers that you just click with pretty quickly, and for me, she was one of those. We always had a great rapport. I always enjoyed talking with her, and I think she would say the same thing about me.

She was always encouraging, and gave me good feedback even if I might not have always appreciated it at the time … LOL. It made me a better writer though.

Her instruction served me well and gave me a good foundation for my journalism classes in college.

If not for Lillian Babb and her encouragement, then I might not have even become a journalist, which is something that I have been doing professionally for more than 31 years now.

I found out over the weekend that she died Friday at the University of Kentucky Bluegrass Hospice Care Center in Lexington at the age of 76.

I didn’t know that she had been ill.

I’ll conclude this column by paraphrasing a line from one of her favorite authors, Stephen King, and say simply that although I hadn’t seen her in more than 10 years, I know I’ll miss her forever.

Corbin police, general government budgets see significant funding decrease in new budget

The City of Corbin’s police department, parks and recreation and general government budgets will see decreased funding and the fire department, public works and the recycling center will see increased funding this fiscal year compared to funding each agency received last fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2024.

Legal Notices for 7-24-2024

NOTICE:

The Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, d/b/a 2024 NIBROC Festival hereby declares its intention(s) to apply for a special temporary liquor license no later than July 31, 2024. The licensed premises will be located at Sanders Park, 201 S. Main Street, Corbin, Kentucky, 40701. The owner of the property is the Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission, Nancy Conley, Director. Any person, association, corporation, or body politic may protest the granting of the license(s) by writing the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, 500 Mero Street 2NE33, Frankfort, Kentucky, 40601, within thirty (30) days of the date of legal publication.

NOTICE OF BOND RELEASE

In accordance with KRS 350.093, notice is hereby given that American Highwall Mining, 212 Kendall Avenue, Chilhowie, Virginia 24319 has applied for Phase II and III Bond Release on Increment Nos. 3, 4, 5 & 6 of Permit Number 918-0434, which was last issued on February 23, 2022.  Increment No. 3 covers an area of approximately 14.4 acres, Increment No. 4 covers an area of approximately 9.7 acres, Increment No. 5 covers an area of approximately 11.6, and Increment No. 6 covers an area of approximately 12.6 acres located at 1.2 miles east of the junction of the Jack’s Fork Road and KY Rt. 26 & 1.0 miles Southeast of Rockhold’s in Whitley County.

The permit is approximately 0.1 miles south of Helton Hollow. The latitude is 36° 48’ 28”. The longitude is 84° 06’ 15”.

The bond now in effect for Increment No. 3 of Permit Number 918-0434 is a Certificate of Deposit in the amount of twenty-two thousand dollars ($22,000.00), which the remaining of the bond at twenty-two thousand dollars ($22,000.00), is being requested for release.

Reclamation work performed on Increment No. 3 includes: backfilling, final grading and seeding completed in the June 2019.

The bond now in effect for Increment No. 4 of Permit Number 918-0434 is a Certificate of Deposit in the amount of twelve thousand three hundred dollars ($12,300.00), which the remaining of the bond at twelve thousand three hundred dollars ($12,300.00), is being requested for release.

Reclamation work performed on Increment No. 4 includes: backfilling, final grading and seeding completed in the May 2018

The bond now in effect for Increment No. 5 of Permit Number 918-0434 is a Certificate of Deposit in the amount of fifteen thousand eight hundred dollars ($15,800.00), which the remaining of the bond at fifteen thousand eight hundred dollars ($15,800.00), is being requested for release.

Reclamation work performed on Increment No. 5 includes: backfilling, final grading and seeding completed in the November 2018.

The bond now in effect for Increment No. 6 of Permit Number 918-0434 is a Certificate of Deposit in the amount of seventeen thousand nine hundred dollars ($17,900.00), which the remaining of the bond at seventeen thousand nine hundred dollars ($17,900.00), is being requested for release.

Reclamation work performed on Increment No. 6 includes: backfilling, final grading and seeding completed in the June 2019.

Written comments, objections, and requests for a public hearing or informal conference must be filed with the Director, Division of Field Services, 300 Sower Blvd. 2nd Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, by September 13, 2024.

A public hearing on the application has been scheduled for September 16, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at the Department for Natural Resource’s Middlesboro Regional Office located at 1804 Cumberland Ave., Middlesboro, Kentucky 40965. The hearing will be canceled if no request for a hearing or informal conference is received by September 13, 2024.

CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG, KENTUCKY

ORDINANCE NO. 24-001

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 8 OF ORDINANCE NO. 09-004 TO INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR VIOLATION FROM $25.00 TO $100.00 FOR EACH OFFENSE.

WHEREAS the City Council of Williamsburg, Kentucky, seeks to preserve the aesthetic beauty, quality, and environment within the city limits by regulating the ownership, registration, and harboring of domesticated animals (i.e. dogs and cats) within the city limits by the owners or custodians.

NOW THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of Williamsburg, Kentucky,

SECTION ONE: Ordinance No. 09-004 is hereby amended to increase the penalty for violation as follows:

SECTION 8: Penalties.

A. Any person, firm, or organization violating any provision of this chapter, including permitting their animal and/or pet to be a nuisance, shall be fined $25.00 $100.00 for each offense, with each day’s violation being considered a separate offense, and this penalty shall be in addition to court costs.

SECTION TWO: This Ordinance becomes effective upon passage and publication as required by law.

Adopted this 27th day of June, 2024

RODDY HARRISON, MAYOR

ATTEST: TERESA H. BLACK, CITY CLERK

First Reading: June 10, 2024

Second Reading: June 27, 2024

Date of Publication: July 24, 2024

CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG, KENTUCKY

ORDINANCE NO. 24-002

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO SPECIFY THE PENALTY IMPOSED FOR VIOLATION OF SECTION 3.7 THEREIN TITLED “LIVESTOCK”, WHEREBY OWNING, KEEPING, OR HARBORING OF LIVESTOCK IS PROHIBITED IN ALL RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, AND NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICTS, PERMITTED AS A CONDITIONAL USE IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT, AND TRACTS OR PARCELS OF LAND IN AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS WHICH ABUT(S) OR ADJOIN(S) A RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT.

WHEREAS the City Council of Williamsburg, Kentucky, seeks to preserve the aesthetic beauty, quality, and environment of the zoning districts located within the city limits by restricting and regulating the owning, keeping, or harboring of livestock within the city limits; and

WHEREAS the owning, keeping, or harboring of livestock in residential districts, neighborhood business districts, and the central business district creates various health and safety concerns and is contrary to the aesthetic beauty, quality, environment, and nature of said districts, and

WHEREAS the owning, keeping, or harboring of livestock in the general business district, industrial district, and tracts or parcels of land in agricultural districts which abuts or adjoins a residential district creates various health and safety concerns and could be contrary to the aesthetic beauty, quality, environment, and nature of said districts.

NOW THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of Williamsburg, Kentucky,

SECTION ONE: Ordinance No. 92-005, the Zoning Ordinance (revised) is hereby amended to specify the penalty imposed for violation of Section 3.7 therein titled “Livestock” as follows:

3.79 Violation of this Ordinance by any person is declared to be a nuisance and dangerous to the public health and safety. Any person, firm, or organization violating the provisions hereof shall be fined $100.00 for each offense, with each day’s violation being considered a separate offense, and this penalty shall be in addition to any court costs if any should occur.

SECTION TWO: This Ordinance becomes effective upon passage and publication as required by law.

Adopted this 27th day of June, 2024.

RODDY HARRISON, MAYOR

ATTEST: TERESA BLACK, CITY CLERK

First Reading: June 10, 2024

Second Reading: June 27, 2024

Date of Publication: July 24, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE

PARKING VARIANCE REQUEST

BEFORE THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT CITY OF CORBIN, KENTUCKY

Pursuant to KRS Chapter 100, the Board of Adjustment of Corbin, Kentucky will hold a public hearing on Thursday August 1, 2024 at the hour of 5:00 PM in the Corbin Government Center, 2nd floor courtroom at 805 South Main St., Corbin, Kentucky 40701, concerning the request by the following individual:

A request for parking variance by Zack Brown on behalf of L&M Ventures INC.

The Hearing is Held and Notice is given in accordance with the Kentucky Revised Statutes, Chapter 100, and the Corbin Zoning Ordinance.

Any interested party may attend the Hearing in regard to the above request.

INVITATION TO BID – SURPLUS ITEMS

The Corbin Board of Education has declared various pieces of theatre, radio, and film equipment, food service equipment, one truck, and one car as surplus property and will receive separate sealed bids for these items. Please contact Cristie Johnson or Donna Bowling at the Corbin Board of Education at 606-528-1303 to obtain the bid specifications or bid form. Bid specifications are available at Corbin Board of Education, 108 Roy Kidd Avenue, Corbin, Kentucky 40701 during regular office hours from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To see the items, interested parties may also visit the Corbin Schools website www.corbinschools.org and click the link at the top of the page.

Questions related to theatre, radio, and film equipment should be directed to Mark Daniels at mark.daniels@corbin.kyschools.us. Questions related to food service equipment should be directed to Janie Keith at Janie.keith@corbin.kyschools.us. For inquiries concerning the truck, please direct your questions to Kasey Trosper at kasey.trosper@corbin.kyschools.us. For inquiries concerning the truck, please direct your questions to Josh Vannorstran at josh.vannorstran@corbin.kyschools.us.

Bid deadline is 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 30, 2024.  Bids will be opened at 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 30, 2024.  Bids received after the scheduled closing time will be returned unopened to the bidder.  The Corbin Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all bids or proposals, and to waive informalities.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Pursuant to 405 KAR 8:010, Section 16(5), the following is a summary of permitting decisions made by the Department for Natural Resources, Division of Mine Permits with respect to applications to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations in Whitley County. WHITLEY ALDEN RESOURCES LLC, 9180511 NW 1, 6/12/2024

Local students graduate, receive honors

Local residents have done well recently graduating from colleges and universities, being accepted to colleges and universities, receiving scholarships and being named to the president’s list at their respective schools among various accomplishments, including:

Berea College graduate

Corbin’s Hayley Campbell received a Bachelor of Arts from Berea College conferred on May 15. Berea College celebrated 186 graduates on May 5 at the 2024 commencement ceremony. These graduates represent 33 states and 20 countries.

The celebration was the first end-of-year graduation for President Cheryl Nixon, who joined Berea College in July 2023.

Berea College, the first interracial and coeducational college in the South, focuses on learning, labor and service. It only admits academically promising students with limited financial resources, primarily from Kentucky and Appalachia, although students come from 45 states and 70 countries.

Campbellsville University

Campbellsville University’s academic honors President’s List for the Spring 2024 semester has been announced with Williamsburg’s Ashley Hayes and Keavy’s Aleisha Hollin making the list.

The academic honors list recognizes students who achieve a grade point average of 3.50 or above for the semester with a course load of at least 12 hours. The Spring 2024 academic honors list includes a total of 839 students, with 375 named to the President’s List for achieving a 4.0 grade point average and 464 named to the Dean’s List for achieving a 3.5 to 3.99 GPA.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs, including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs.